As an international network for industrial Additive Manufacturing, our reflections on 2024 highlight both progress and challenges. Consumer applications are growing in fields such as design and healthcare, with patient-specific devices seeing increased use, while other industries, such as defense, maintain strong implementation. However, market growth remains slower than expected, with material qualification and standardization posing ongoing issues, particularly in medical applications. Formnext 2024 confirmed AM’s foothold in large enterprises and its potential for SMEs, showcasing innovations in healthcare and transport.

Industry growth requires a collaborative, measured approach rather than rapid disruption. Success hinges on knowledge transfer and building trust to advance AM capabilities across sectors. It may be that the Facebook motto, “Move fast and break things,” coined by Mark Zuckerberg, does not work in engineering. Our network emphasizes that successful AM market advancement depends on collaborACTion and user-driven knowledge transfer, reinforcing our vital role in bridging expertise and advancing AM capabilities across sectors.

We are excited for a 2025 positively impacted by AM, but for now let’s have a look at what happened in 2024!

 

WHAT HAPPENED WITHIN OUR WORKING GROUPS IN 2024: A LITTLE GLIMPSE

In the past 12 months, we welcomed 17 new members to our network (see list below), expanded our Working Group portfolio, and continued progress on ongoing projects within our existing Working and Focus Groups.

Here are a few highlights:

• MGA Medical celebrated its 5th anniversary, marking five years of innovation, collaboration, and growth in the field of 3D printing for healthcare. Over the past five years, we have launched 6 Working Groups, 3 Focus Groups, and welcomed over 40 members. Key achievements include producing 5,000 3D printed face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic and hosting over 70 meetings to drive progress. As we look ahead, we remain focused on overcoming challenges such as the implementation of the MDR and expanding our impact in personalized healthcare. Thank you to our dedicated members, and here’s to many more years of success and innovation! Click here to learn more.
• MGA launched a new Focus Group under the umbrella of Medical Use Cases in April: the Dental Focus Group. Held at our Berlin office, the event brought together industry leaders to explore AM in dentistry. Presentations by Özlem Weiß and Franziska Schmidt highlighted key trends and research, with focus areas including CAD automation, data formats, and supply chain challenges. We also held a very successful Dental Meet-Up at Formnext 2024 to further discuss AM’s impact in dentistry. Check our dedicated blog post.
• Siemens Mobility and LEHVOSS, members of our MGA Materials Working Group, announced LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK at AM Forum 2024. This SLS powder meets the strict railway safety standards, offering sustainable, cost-effective production with 100% reusability and exceptional dielectric strength, driving innovation in multiple industries. Read more details here.
• The Vehicles + Machines Working Group has expanded its focus to include specialized machinery, driving innovation in 3D printing and addressing sector-specific challenges. We’re bringing together diverse expertise to unlock new opportunities in the field. Click here for more information.
• R3volution3D developed a comprehensive 3D printing solution- 3D printed equine dental implant (3D-printed horse tooth) and customised titanium bone screw for bone cyst. The founder co-leads the Veterinary Medicine working group, working in collaboration with other MGA members further developed the 3D printed horse tooth use case and boosting AM in Veterinary Medicine. Have a look here.
• Our Digital Supply Chain Working Group has been working on developing a comprehensive framework to effectively communicate the added value of Additive Manufacturing, both as a whole and through specific enterprise case studies.
• Within our Materials Working Group, the Focus Group on High-Performance Polymers has created an initial guideline for polymer data sheets specific to AM materials. The aim is to promote awareness of reliable testing methods and how to derive trustworthy material information. This serves as a first step towards driving standardization efforts in this area.

 

ADVANCING THE AM INDUSTRY THROUGH EVENTS, INITIATIVES, AND COLLABORATION

Alongside advancing discussions and projects in our Working Groups, we have actively participated in events, built new partnerships, and strengthened existing ones to raise awareness about the industrial potential of Additive Manufacturing and help boost the industry forward.

• In March, the MGA team travelled to AMUG 2024 in Chicago, where the latest advancements in additive manufacturing were highlighted. Key discussions focused on healthcare, sustainability, and the future of the industry. MGA members explored new applications, including innovations in machines and materials, and addressed important topics such as sustainability and the expanding role of AM. Collaboration emerged as a key theme, driving AM’s potential across diverse industries. Here you can find all the details.

• In May, at the AM Village in Tournai, Belgium, MGA explored 3D printing applications in military logistics and collaborated with partners on workforce training and innovation and our colleague Sven Fritzsche presented alongside key partners, focusing on workforce qualification and adapting AM training to military needs. Highlights included live demonstrations, workshops, and discussions on adapting AM for defense needs, showcasing the power of industry-military cooperation. More information at this link.
• MGA supports the next generations with the MGA/VDI Student Competition. This international, interdisciplinary event brought together more than 70 university students to explore all aspects of Additive Manufacturing and digitization. In May 2024, 13 teams competed in a 3-day hackathon-style event focused on Advanced Robotics at EOS. We’re excited to continue this tradition and look forward to next year! Check out the dedicated blogpost.
• At Rapid.Tech 3D, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of this pioneering event in Erfurt. Highlights included 3D Pioneers Challenge Award Ceremony, where MGA’s Stefanie Brickwede and Naomi Nathan served on the jury. We also participated in the European AM Platform Meeting, with Stefanie presenting our network on stage. The event offered great networking opportunities, exciting exhibitions, and insightful discussions. We’re already looking forward to next year’s edition in May 2025! More information can be found here.
• We’re proud to have hosted the 1st European Healthcare Forum for Additive Manufacturing (EHFAM) 2024 in Basel, organized by the MGA Medical Division in collaboration with FHNW School of Life Sciences and University Hospital Basel. The event brought together experts to explore AM’s transformative role in healthcare through presentations, workshops, and networking. It was a fantastic opportunity for our members to showcase their innovations. We’re excited for what’s next and look forward to EHFAM 2025, registrations are already open, have a look here!
• Last but not least, our beloved Annual Meeting and Women in AM Summit 2024 in Berlin was a success! We kicked off with inspiring talks and mentoring at the Women in AM Summit. The General Assembly saw new board members elected, while the 3D Evening Event offered fun and networking. Day two featured engaging presentations and workshops on AM’s latest trends. Thanks to all involved, and we can’t wait for next year! Click here for more details!
• Where else were we in 2024?
  • MGA participated in the DigiZug3D consortium meeting in April 2024, where industry experts discussed component categorization, process qualification, and online monitoring systems. The meeting provided valuable insights and fostered collaboration to address challenges and explore new opportunities in additive manufacturing. More insights here.
  • MGA’s first participation at JEC World highlighted the growing synergy between additive manufacturing and composites. Key takeaways (click here to  learn more) included advancements in lightweight construction, mold-making, and the integration of AM into composite manufacturing. Strengthened partnerships and innovations showcased exciting opportunities for the future. See you at JEC World 2025!
  • MGA attended the second TechTra meeting in Budapest, focusing on the future of metal 3D printing. Discussions centred on DED processes, collaborations with key companies like Saab and Knorr-Bremse, and MGA’s support for a new 3D printing hub in Hungary.
  • At MedtecLIVE 2024, MGA presented its network’s work in medical 3D printing, featuring Formlabs’ Shiden Yohannes. The event offered an excellent opportunity to connect with new and long-time members and stay up to date with advancements in the fast-evolving medical AM field.
  • Additive Manufacturing Meets Medicine (AMMM) Summer School and Conference took place from September 9th to 13th, fostering partnerships in education and training for AM in healthcare and medicine. We presented a lecture on: Economic Effects of Additive Manufacturing on the Healthcare System.
  • MGA participated in MedTech World in Malta, where discussions focused on advancements in healthcare, including 3D printing for elderly care and opportunities for collaboration. MGA contributed to conversations on using technology to support senior health.
  • As part of MGA’s effort to strengthen its presence in the Nordic countries, we participated in the Danish AM Summit and the 6th Nordic Conference on Sustainable Healthcare. These events provided opportunities to build new partnerships and share projects and ideas.
  • Our Working Group Aero+Space visited Airbus in Stade, where we explored Additive Manufacturing’s potential in lightweight technology and aircraft cabins, especially for the aftermarket.

 

As announced in 2023, one of MGA’s goals for 2024 was to strengthen our Political Engineering efforts to ensure Additive Manufacturing (AM) remains on the political agenda. Here’s an update on our progress:

• At the European Lightweighting Network meeting, organized by European Ministries of Economics, MGA presented its network and learned about the EUREKA funding program. We highlighted AM’s potential to create lighter, more sustainable production, citing our member Materialise’s work in construction, which saves up to 94% of weight and material.
• Our ongoing cooperation with Composites United will be further strengthened in 2025 with a cooperation event in June!
• We’ve strengthened our partnerships in standardization and published a position paper, “Paving the Way for Industrial 3D Printing: A Call to Action.”
• Dr. Fischer, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs from Berlin, visited MGA to discuss advancing AM. We emphasized the need for political support to drive funding, research, and skills development.
• At Formnext, we welcomed Dr. Fischer again, where we showcased AM’s diverse applications and continued our collaboration with Berlin Partner to position Berlin as the global “Capital of Additive Manufacturing.”
• We had the honour of hosting Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, at our office. His engagement and support in connecting us with key contacts highlight the importance of political backing in addressing challenges like international competition and workforce development.
• Our Managing Director, Stefanie Brickwede, presented AM at a meeting of Women of the Christian Democratic Union, attended by Bundestag members and former ministers.
• MGA helped secure financing for the German Standards Institute (DIN) regarding Additive Manufacturing.
• Throughout the year, we attended various events hosted by Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner and Minister of Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey. We also shared the AMBER booth with Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH.

Other than visiting events, joining juries, and cultivating partnerships, we also cultivated our cooperation with the Women in 3D Printing initiative, the Dansk AM Hub, AMGTA, EPMA, NCSH, AMUK close collaboration with ADDIMAT.

MGA joined multiple initiatives or was a part of bodies. Our positions other than the ones already mentioned were:

• Member of the strategical advisory board of the Technology Transfer Program Lightweight of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
• Member of the board of trustees of the Fraunhofer IAPT in Hamburg
• Co-Initiator and member of the board of AMBER (Additive Manufacturing Berlin Brandenburg)
• Member of the board of the ULTRAGrain project (aims to create a customised fine-grained microstructure (“grading”) in wire and powder-based laser cladding, which promises to improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of many engineering alloys)
• Member of the board of HEALTH CAPITAL cluster
• Member of the funded KISS (AI-supported Rapid Supply Network) Project aimed to create an AI-based semantic platform to accelerate the establishment of value networks.
• Member of the funded DigiZug3D Project with the goal of mapping and digitalising the approval process in the rail sector
• Member of the Curatorium of IAPT in Hamburg
• MGA will continue being part of the jury of the 3D Pioneers Challenge.

 

 

We would like to dedicate a moment to also thank Prof. Dr. Ing. Claus Emmelmann, Professor and Director of at Institut für Laser- und Anlagensystemtechnik / iLAS,  and Johannes Emmelheinz, Former CEO at Siemens Mobility Customer Services for being part of our Executive Board for the past more than 8(!) years and for the passion and dedication you have shown towards MGA and the AM industry. Your contributions have been invaluable, and you will be missed. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome our newly elected Executive Board members. Torsten Wehrkamp, Vice President Spare Part Services, Siemens Mobility, who will be taking over the position of Vice Chairman of the Board after being part of the Advisory Board in the past, and Welf-Guntram Drossel, Director at Fraunhofer IWU, who was elected as a Board Member.

Lastly, a heartfelt highlight of the year: we extend our warm congratulations to Berit Timmich on this new phase of life, as she embraces motherhood. Her dedication and exceptional skills are still deeply valued, and we wish her all the best in this exciting chapter!

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2025

We are looking forward to the following projects in 2025:

• A Tech Journey to New York and Boston— We’re excited to embark on this journey to explore new international markets and cultures.
• Introducing our new Lifestyle Working Group—focused on design, architecture, fashion, and art to drive AM adoption in these industries at the business level. Stay tuned to learn more!
• MGA Medical Strategic Commitee will be kick off on January 31^st,2025, we’ll shape the next five years of our Medical Division and strengthen our position as leaders in additive manufacturing for healthcare
• At AM Forum 2025, we’ll explore how Additive Manufacturing can transform public urban transport, with insights from leaders like Siemens and Alstom. The event will address challenges and discuss strategies for AM integration, fostering collaboration across the sector.
• Political Engineering: together with other influential institutions from the additive world, we aim to put 3D Printing on every politician’s agenda to ensure funding and support for our technology!

 

We cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for the Additive industries and our network.

We look forward to boosting AM with you!

 

 

NEW MEMBERS 2024 :

Plasmics

Ultimaker B.V.

Nevo3D

Hochschule Kempten / IPI Sonthofen

MIMPlus

Axenoll

TechTra

Fooke GmbH

Ailoys

Würth Additive Group

Prusa Research

Lightway

IOI Oleo GmbH

joke Technologie GmbH

Reinforce3D

DMFG

Weisser SPulenkörpe